CRAIG GORDON has been told he will bounce back “even stronger” from his latest injury.

The Sunderland keeper fractured his forearm during Saturday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and looks set to be sidelined until after Christmas.

The setback comes as a particularly bitter blow to Gordon, only recently recovered from a hip complaint and, before that, knee surgery.

It has ruled him out of Scotland’s friendly international against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, leaving the Saltires’ assistant manager Terry Butcher particularly frustrated.

Yet the former Black Cats boss has also offered Gordon words of comfort, promising that, having sustained a clean break of the bone, he will bounce back.

“We all know about Craig Gordon and what he can do,” said Butcher.

“He’s been fantastic for Sunderland, obviously, and unbelievable for Scotland. It is a massive blow for him; he’s just come back from an injury as well.

“It’s frustrating, he’ll be a good few months out but it’s part and parcel of football and you just have to get on with it.

“It’s a blow, but it’s a straight break, the bone will heal even stronger and he’ll bounce back – there’s no doubt about that.

“It’s probably a better injury than if you pick up ligaments or cartilage injuries. He’ll bounce back – it shouldn’t be a problem for him.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Gordon’s fellow compatriot Graham Dorrans.

The Scotland Under-21 midfielder – who can also play up front – joined West Brom from Livingston in a £100,000 move last year, but has risen to prominence this season as the Baggies continue to breathe down Newcastle’s necks at the top of the Championship.

And his form is understood to have attracted interest from the Black Cats – along with Aston Villa and Birmingham City.